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PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK

Pilanesberg Information

Pilanesberg Information

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Pilanesberg Information.

Pilanesberg National Park is nearby to the cities. The Pilanesberg Park is close enough for a day visit from Johannesburg. The Park can be reached within 3 hours from the city, and upon arrival, you are surrounded by wildlife and nature. Accommodation in Pilanesberg ranges from camping sites and caravaning to luxury private lodges.
You can indulge in 4 stars and 5-star luxury private game lodges of a very high standard.

Pilanesberg National Park is a sought-after wildlife destination in a malaria-free zone. The park’s location is adjacent to Sun City. The park is home to the big five and only 2 hours from Johannesburg. The unique biosphere of the Pilanesberg National Park is home to one of the country’s most famous wildlife areas. The park is set in an ancient volcanic crater. This well-stocked reserve has a dramatic landscape that supports a wide variety of plants, animals and birds.

Some interesting facts on Pilanesberg.

The park is named after the former Chief Pilane and has a unique Alkaline ring complex. This is the parks primary geological feature. In the centre of the south is the artificially created Mankwe Dam. Well known for the high concentration of wildlife. What is unique about the parks’ vegetation is the cohabitant of the Kalahari that meets the lowveld. Officially the park is the fourth largest National park in South Africa.

Conservation has lead to the birth of the Pilanesberg National Park. During the early 80’s the park many long vanished wildlife species was translocated to the park. The location of the park is in an old volcanic crater and makes this one of a kind in South Africa. The prospects of expanding towards the Madikwe game reserve is in the form of the suggested ‘ Heritage Park”.

Why visit the Pilanesberg National Park?

You are only two hours from a major airport, so access is effortless. You can self-drive in the park, and no 4×4 vehicles are required for the gravel roads. It is child-friendly and is a malaria free zone. The resorts, hotels and private lodges offer a selection of accommodation choices.

Pilanesberg Self Drive Safaris.

Easy Access to the Park.

No 4 x 4 is needed when accessing the park.

Book your vehicle and accommodation in advance.

Consult a map of the Park.

Animal guide reference.

Consult rules and regulations of the park.

Always make sure you have water and food.

Pilanesberg centre offers updated wildlife sightings.

Pilanesberg Facilities

The Pilanesberg Game reserve is situated close to Sun City, in the Bojanala region of the North West Province. The Pilanesberg National Park offers malaria-free Big Five game viewing. This is on offer and only a 2-hour drive from Johannesburg. The easy access makes the park very popular with local and international visitors. You can do self-drives inside the park, guided drives or enjoy private game drives. The Pilanesberg game reserve park offers numerouspicnic sites, bird hides and viewpoints, to enhance your experience in the park.

The scenic terrain lies in the transition zone between the Lowveld and Kalahari. What makes this unique is that both types of vegetation are found here. As a result of the park being in a transition zone, there are overlaps in birds, mammals and plant. There are over 360 species of birds that have been recorded. Though some are migrants, most other birds are permanent inhabitants. There is a self-guided trail in the walking area at Manyane, which offers an environmental education opportunity. Enjoy the wilderness and birdlife while game viewing and bird watching on foot. There is also a walk-in aviary at Manyane with over 80 species of indigenous birds.

In general Pilanesberg national park is a unique wildlife and wilderness region within South Africa. Pilanesberg is small enough to explore in a few days and large enough to provide one of the best ecosystems for wildlife in South Africa.

Pilanesberg Information Centre

The old magistrates building has been revamped and changed into the Pilanesberg Information Centre. The building is near the Mankwe dam and offers a great stopover in the park. Today there are shops, educational centre and wildlife sightings interactive PC system. The perfect location for ablutions and a picnic.

Pilanesberg Photographic Hides.

There are six bird hides in the park. These are well-designed structures and perfectly located for Photography. The hides are perfect for different times of the day. Rathogo hide is excellent for photography in the mornings. Ruighoek and Malatse are best in the afternoons. Makorwane & Batlhako is perfect for cloudy days and low light Photography. Mankwe is our favourite as it is best for the whole day and you have excellent reflections on the water.

Distance & Directions to Pilanesberg National Park

Charter flights from JHB International or Lanseria to Pilanesberg International Airport.

GPS Co-ordinates

WHY DRIVE TO SUN CITY, WHEN YOU CAN FLY?

You now have the option to fly directly from Cape Town International Airport or OR Tambo International Airport to Pilanesberg Airport, conveniently located 10 km outside Sun City.

As of 16 March, 2015 SA Express will be scheduling return flights in and out of Pilanesberg Airport, thanks to a contract granted by the North West Safety and Transport Department. The first commercial flight to Sun City was on Friday 27 March.

This means that it’s now easier than ever (whether you’re in Cape Town or Joburg) to take a trip to Sun City to indulge in the resort’s numerous leisure activities, gaming and sporting attractions. Thinking of taking a midweek break or want to head to Sun City for the weekend? Now there’s an SA Express flight for you to hop on.

Yes, it is home to Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion and many more mammals.

Rates

Adults

R65

Children

R20

Pensioners

R20

Vehicles

R20

Bus (17-25)

R60

Bus (25-50)

R80

Bus (50+)

R170

Gate Times

March and April: 06h00-18h30

May to September: 06h30-18h00

September and October: 06h00-18h30

November to February: 05h30-19h00

Entry Gates

Babukung Gate

The Babukung Gate lies in close proximity west of Sun City.Take the R556 from Johannesburg and follow it past Sun City to get to the entrance.Lodges accessible from the Babukung Gate:

Babukung Bush Lodge

Tshukudu Bush Lodge

Bakgatla Gate

Bakgatla Gate lies in the North East of Pilanesberg.From Sun City take the R510 to Mogwase and follow the signs to Pilanesberg National Park.Pass Manyane Gate on your left and continue until you reach the Bakgatla Gate at a T-junction.Lodges accessible from the Bakgatla Gate:

Ivory Tree Lodge

Bakgatla Resort

Kwa Maritane Gate

The Kwa Maritane Gate is between the Sun City Resort and the Pilanesberg Airport in close proximity to both. Lodges accessible from the Kwa Maritane Gate:

Kwa Maritane Game Lodge

Manyane Gate

Manyane Gate is located in the east of Pilanesberg. From Sun City take the R510 towards Mogwase and continue through the town until you take a left towards the gate.Lodges accessible from the Manyane Gate:

Manyane Resort

Black Rhino Reserve

The private Black Rhino Reserve has a separate gate that can be reached on the R565 travelling north. You will sign in at the gate and either drive to your lodge or request for your host to pick you up.Lodges accessible from the Black Rhino Gate:

Buffalo Thorn Lodge

Black Rhino Game Lodge

Morokolo Game Lodge

Note:Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge has a private entrance to the park, which can be reached on the R565 travelling north.